Radiation Safety

Carnegie Mellon University’s radiation safety policy applies to the use of sources of radiation in various teaching, research, and operating activities. The purpose of the Radiation Safety Program (RSP) is to provide a structure and organization that ensures continuing implementation of the radiation safety policy throughout the university.

As the program is continuously being updated, please refer back often to remain informed of changes to our policies and services.

Carnegie Mellon University operates under the provisions of the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission (USNRC) and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP)-Bureau of Radiation Protection, Title 10 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), and the Title 25, for the procurement, possession, transportation, and use of all radioactive materials (RAM) and radiation-producing devices (RPD). Two licenses authorize the use of RAM and RPD's on campus: 1) USNRC/DOE special nuclear materials license and 2)PADEP specific license and RPD registration.

As part of the licensure requirements, Carnegie Mellon University must develop and maintain a radiation safety program to ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations and maintain radiation exposures to all individuals “as low as reasonably achievable” (ALARA). Recently, this program was reviewed and revised as part of CMU's license renewal to suit the changing needs of the university.

The university has put forth its own policies, procedures, and guidelines to establish a safe work environment for personnel who use radioisotopes, x-ray producing equipment, or other sources of ionizing radiation.